Today’s world places a high priority on security. While technology is evolving quickly and making our lives easier and better, it is also making it easier for hackers and con artists to steal sensitive and vital data from our mobile phones. Because of this fear, we all search for apps that can protect our data from snoopers.
Modern Android smartphones and tablets now have built-in locking features to safeguard your device from unauthorised use. Everyone in this digital age uses their phone’s built-in lock feature to protect them by using a fingerprint, PIN, pattern, or face-lock (or all of them). However, you might occasionally need to add additional security to your apps that store necessary access credentials and private data.
Some mobile apps have a lock function built right in, while others require installing third-party software on your smartphone to lock them. Applying lock apps varies depending on the phone model and operating system (Android or iOS versions).
In this article, we will be discussing different ways to lock apps on mobile phones, which apply to Android versions 10, 9 (Pie), 8 (Oreo), and 7 (Nougat).
How to lock apps for Android 10 and Android 9.0 Pie on a Mobile phone (using the built-in device feature)
Applying an app lock will prevent access to the app until you unlock it,
- Open the Security or Biometrics tab in the Settings app (Fingerprint, face, or password).
- Find the App lock by scrolling to the bottom of the Settings screen and tapping on it.
- To use App lock, you must set a private password. Then select Set Password.
- The password for the app you wish to lock must be entered and established. Please re-enter the password and validate it after that.
- If any security questions are prompted, answer any one of them and select the Done option.
- Choose the apps you want to apply your lock to prevent unauthorised use and click on the Lock button.
Your device has now successfully installed the lock app. As a result, you can password-protect your app so that no one can access it without inputting the same password on the lock screen. Click on Settings > Biometrics (Fingerprint, face, or password) > Privacy password > type your password and then touch on Update password or Turn off password if you wish to change your password or disable the app lock.
How to Lock Apps for Android 8.0 Oreo and 7.0 Nougat on a Mobile phone
The procedure to lock apps on an Android smartphone running an older operating system version is slightly different.
- Click the Lock screen and security tab on your device’s Settings app.
- Now, locate and select the Other security settings option
- Toggle the Pin windows switch on to make screen pinning enabled.
- To unpin the toggle button, enable the Use screen lock type setting.
- When you wish to lock an app window, select the Overview option and click over it.
- Click Start after selecting the thumbtack icon in the lower-right corner of the screen.
- To unpin the window, click and hold the icons for Back and Overview.
- Lastly, use your pin, pattern, password, or biometric security option to unpin the app.
How to Lock Apps Using Third-Party Apps on an Android Mobile Phone
You can prevent unauthorised use of your apps and files using many third-party mobile apps and security new lock apps. You must download and install it from the Google Play Store, then set it up on your smartphone if you want to secure your data. You may select any using a password, pin, pattern, or biometric security. You must enter your password to activate any closed or protected apps. If the password is incorrect, the app won’t run.
However, to work, these apps require certain system privileges and permissions, which are requested during installation. Therefore, it is advised only to use recognised apps.
Create a User or Guest Account
A device operating system is an alternative option if you do not want to lock apps using third-party app locker apps from the Play Store or any other source. On your smartphone, set up a guest or additional user account. You may also safeguard your apps in this manner. The second user, also known as the guest account user, is a temporary user who cannot access your primary profile. They cannot use your phone to make calls, send SMS messages, or access any of the data or apps. They are limited to using their phones to install apps and save data. A button above the quick settings on the top will allow you to create it. You can even lend the phone to someone else to store their info if you set it up as a user and not a guest account.
How to Lock Apps on iOS Mobile Phone
Apple does not permit the installation of third-party apps on iOS the way Google does for Android. Therefore, there weren’t any standard locking tools on the App Store. You must put your trust in and work on each app directly. However, many iOS apps that can keep private data provide a second level of security.
In addition to its security features, WhatsApp hides your messages from prying eyes. You need to click on the Settings app on the home screen to do this. After that, turn on Touch ID or Face ID under Accounts > Privacy & Screen Lock to prevent unauthorized access to your chats.
Also,Check – Attention WhatsApp Users: New Features Rolled out to Control the Users
Apple’s Notes app for the iPhone is another example. You can choose to lock any note by long-pressing on it and selecting Lock Note or by clicking the Share button that is located inside the note. Additionally, you may lock Notes using a PIN code, Touch ID, or Face ID. The iOS Settings app’s Notes feature allows you to change it.
Conclusion
The option to lock your Apps makes it simple to keep information private. You can also have total control over your device with it. Try it; it might be more accessible than completely locking your device. I hope you have found this article helpful, and if you have any choirs, let us know in the comment section below.